I brand spanking new to this fly fishing business so I hope this question makes some kind of sense.

I have a tapered leader with a loop on the end. I want to do a loop to loop connection to my fly line. I figure I want to nail knot a 6" piece of line to my fly line and give it a loop. What I can't figure out is what size (how heavy) that small piece of line should be and is it just a piece of mono?. I'm using WF5F fly line, have a 5X leader.

There may be someone out there with more precise knowledge, but you want that short piece to be at least as thick or slightly thicker than the butt of the leader. You can compare tham by sight, but I'm thinking you want at least 30 lb. monofilament.

Another option, if you can tie a nice perfection loop would be to remove the loop by clipping just below it, then nail knot the butt of the leader to the line. When you get to the point you want to change the leader, cut it while leaving 7-8 inches attached to the line, then make a perfection loop in the end of the remainder and use it to loop-to-loop your next leader.

Posted on: 2007/7/19 22:28

_________________The doctrine of free will is the invention of the ruling class.

Jack gave you the most logical answer - nail knot the leader to the fly line and cut it and tie in a loop when you can change leaders.

Since you are new to FF you may not have fly tying tools or thread. If you do, here are instructions on whip finishing a loop on the end of your fly line:

- Cut the end of you fly line at a sharp angle

- Fold the fly line over to form a small loop

- Put a small amount of super glue on the end of the fly line

- Bind the base of the loop together with fly tying thread

- Whip finish

- Coat the thread with Knot Sense, Dave’s flexament or something similar

It’s easy to do if you are a fly tyer and have a bobbin and whip finisher. The loop slides easily through the tip top and eyes, floats well, and has never come undone, unlike the braided loops that are sold. Some line mfg are now selling line with a welded loop already formed in the line. Give it a try. Good luck with your fly fishing.

I nail knot a piece of 20 - 25 lb mono to the fly line with a surgeon's loop on the other end to do exactly what you are suggesting. Then I can loop-to-loop any leader I want and change leaders in a flash. 6" or so does the trick. Taught to me by a veteran years ago. If you want to be precise, measure the width of the butt end of your leader and make the connection the same as or slightly thicker. I just have a couple of spools of at least 20 and use it.

The most common alternative is the "braided leader loop" which is slid over the end of the fly line, and locked in place by then sliding a tubular plastic section over top. In some types, this is made from heat-shrink plastic, and holding it over a mild heat source will shrink-fit it tightly in place.

So I nail knotted (4 tries...lol) a piece of 30lb to the line and put a perfection loop on the other end. I know 30lbs is to heavy cause the loops to damn stiff but I had it laying around and I couldn't get to the store. I need to get practicing....lol

I think I'm gonna try OlyphantLacky route next time. (Flyshack is out of stock.) The nail knot with 30lb was a pain in the arse, let alone with something thinner. I have some shopping to do.

I hope folks don't mind I don't start a new thread but I have another question. Knowledge or at least perceived knowledge is dangerous.

I currently have as mentioned before WF5F line. So if I want to use a say size 20 - 22 fly my line I figure should be 4 weight. Could I put 4 weight line with more backing on a reel that rates at wt. 5-6 and rates at 120 yds./20 lb. w/WF6?

BTW, my wife thinks I'm studying for a masters degree with all the reading and research. Won't she be disappointed when she finds out I'm just trying to catch fish.

I don't think the weight of the flyline is the most important factor. More important is the size of the tippet. There's a rule of thumb that says divide the hook size by 3 and the result is the approximate tippet size. For example, you want to fish a size 22 fly and 22 / 3 ~= 7 so you should fish 7X tippet. Even this rule is not hard and fast. I would use 6X unless I thought the fish were extremely leader shy.

Anyway, while I might be reluctant to fish a #22 fly on a 9 weight setup, I wouldn't hesitate to fish it on my 5 weight setup. Similarly, I probably wouldn't enjoy stripping size 2 streamers on my 2 weight setup, but I am comfortable with a #12 light Cahill on the 2 weight when that's what the fish want.

Hope this helps!

Posted on: 2007/7/22 6:51

_________________Only one constant in the universe, all men are equal in the eyes of the fish. -GulfGreyhound paraphrasing Herbert Hoover